Poll observers urge tighter rules on Value Jersey

International election observers have called for Jersey to tighten its campaign finance rules after concerns during the 2026 election about the role and funding of political movement Value Jersey.

A report by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association's Election Observation Mission said there needed to be greater transparency around political finances.

The mission said Jersey should consider making candidates, political parties and movements disclose donations and spending.

Value Jersey said: "We look forward to having the opportunity to see the published report and will consider its impact once we have had time to meet and consider it in full."

The report noted that several people interviewed by the mission had raised concerns that Value Jersey, an organisation operating outside the registered-party framework, could face different disclosure requirements.

The observers said election expenses published by Vote.je in August included returns from candidates, Reform Jersey and two third parties, but not from Value Jersey.

Some candidates declared support they received from the movement, but the report said there was "no accounting for the amount Value Jersey spent in providing these packages and other support".

It added: "This highlights a potential gap in the transparency framework, where an organisation provides material support to candidates, yet its own expenditure, funding sources, and reporting obligations are not clearly addressed by applicable law."

The head of the election mission, Gary Clueit, said: "There's no transparency around that.

"The concerns weren't about the fact that there was money being spent - it was a case of not knowing how much, and all the details around that."

The chair of the Jersey Electoral Authority, Michael Marett-Crosby, said: "Transparency is a key value that we need to capture and embed in all of our elections law.

"We will be making recommendations as the Commonwealth [Parliamentary Association] is suggesting we should."

The report concluded Jersey's legal framework should clarify "the registration, reporting and oversight obligations applicable to organisations that incur expenditure, solicit donations, coordinate activity, or otherwise campaign to influence the election of candidates".

The report did not accuse Value Jersey of wrongdoing.

However, it said: "Some stakeholders underscored that speculation about Value Jersey reduced trust in both the electoral process and the political finance framework's ability to guarantee a level playing field."

Value Jersey previously said it had followed the law throughout the election process.

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